Shiv Kapur, Gaganjeet Bhullar gear up for Dubai Desert Classic

Dubai: Shiv Kapur admits feeling more than a twinge of disappointment at not being able to get into the Omega Dubai Desert Classic last two years and the Indian golfer is determined to make up for the lost time as he starts his campaign at the USD 2.5 million event.

Last year, Kapur missed out of the event as he did not have the European Tour card but having earned his card at the same city in November 2013, he is now leading the Indian charge along with veteran Jeev Milkha Singh and rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar.

Kapur, who has played five times before in the event, recalled his best memory.

"One of the great memories I have is of the scoreboard showing Tiger and me tied at seven under after three days (in 2008). But he went on to shoot to 65 and I had a 75 and he won in style on the last hole. That excitement, for me, sums up the Dubai Classic," he said.

The 2008 edition was a sizzler where Kapur was tied with Woods for fifth after three rounds. While Woods went on to win beating Ernie Els at the finish line, Kapur dropped to 25th, still his best in the event.

This season Kapur has been tied 12th at Hong Kong, tied 28th at Mandela Championships and was tied 37th and 34th in Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

"Now that I am here especially after regaining the card I lost in 2013, I am able to appreciate everything more. The (European) Tour, the Dubai Classic and so much else and I also feel I have matured as a golfer," Kapur said.

Ironically, it was in Dubai that Kapur took his final step towards regaining his Tour card for 2014 when he won the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final at the Al Badia Golf Club.

"That win did wonders for me. I was more confident and I was back on the Tour. I have great memories of it because it happened in first week of December. They (Al Badia and Majlis) are similar courses and I like the way they look," he said.